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The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has embarked on a number of initiatives aimed at improving its facilities.

Making her contribution to the 2019/20 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on July 9, Portfolio Minister, Hon. Shahine Robinson, said these include the opening of new or improved offices.

“A new Parish Office was opened in Hanover on February 28. Construction is almost complete for a new office in St. Ann and it is expected to be officially opened by December 2019,” she said.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has embarked on a number of initiatives aimed at improving its facilities.

Making her contribution to the 2019/20 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on July 9, Portfolio Minister, Hon. Shahine Robinson, said these include the opening of new or improved offices.

“A new Parish Office was opened in Hanover on February 28. Construction is almost complete for a new office in St. Ann and it is expected to be officially opened by December 2019,” she said.

“Our St. James office is to be completely renovated and will be opened in the 2020/2021 financial year. The drawings to completely renovate the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Office located at 18 Ripon Road have been finalised and will shortly be put to tender,” she added.

Mrs. Robinson further informed that the renovation of the facilities at the Overseas Employment Centre on East Street will continue this year.

In addition, she said that a lease and a contract have been signed for the renovation of office space for an arm of the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT) to be established in St. James.

“IDT West will soon become a reality. We are increasing the number of public access points to the Electronic Labour Exchange (ELE) through the installation of kiosks in our parish offices. St. Catherine, St. Ann, and Hanover have already been outfitted, with St. Elizabeth and Harbour Street next in line,” Mrs. Robinson said.

She added that the Ministry is also exploring stand-alone units at partner locations, such as the Up Park Camp facility of the Jamaica Defence Force.

Meanwhile, to ensure that the key services of the Ministry are accessible to the communities and deep rural Jamaica, the Ministry is in the process of procuring three buses that will be used as mobile offices to aid in the delivery of, and greater access to the services of the Ministry.

The services include the registration of NIS beneficiaries, Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

“We must find them if we intend to be there for them, and so we are taking the Ministry to the communities. Again, we are putting the services of the Ministry in the palms of the citizens’ hands,” Mrs. Robinson said.